Improvement in shoe-fastenings



N EDWARD MPR OVEMENT TN B O O T LACIN G PATENT@ JUL 41871 "S E J2 UNITED STATES PATENT FFIOE.

EDWARD WEBB, OF NORFOLK, VA., ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, C. B. FORD, OF SAME PLACE, AND BENJAMIN F. FORD, OF WASHINGTON, D. C.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHOE-FASTENINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,653, dated July 4, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD WEBB, of the city and county of Nortolk and State of Virginia, have invented a certain Improvement in Lacings for Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a specification:

The nature of my invention consists in the combination of cords, but-tons, and clasps for lacing boots and shoes in such a manner that facility of fastening and unfastening is secured, as well as ease to the foot, by equalizing the strain upon all parts of the ankle.

Figure l represents a boot, with my invention attached, fastened. Fig. 2 represents the saine boot unfastened. Fig. 3 represents a button in a clasp. Fig. f1 represents a sectional view of a button. Fig. 5 is a view of a clasp.

B is the upper flap of the boot. A is the under flap of the boot. Gis the lacing-cord. D 1) are buttons. d is a pin running through buttons. E E are eyelets in upper flap. F F are clasps. These clasps are made of metal and substantially of the shape represented in the drawing'. The buttons D I) are made of metal. or other suitable material, and each has larger and a smaller end. Tl'lrough each, from end to end, runs a hole or eye, across which is securely fastened a pin, d. In the upper ilap A of the boot or shoe I make a series of eyelets, E E E, at a convenient distance from each other. At corresponding points on the under flap B and midway between the eyelets I attach a series of clasps, F F, either by rivets, by sewing, or in any other convenient manner. I then take a cord of suitable length and, fastening one end to the boot nea-r the lower end of the flaps, I pass the other end through an eyelet, then through a button, so that the bight plays over the pin d, and so on through eyelets and buttons alternately until it reaches the top of the flap, where it is fastened or knotted so as not to draw through the last button.

To fasten the boot, the buttons are placed in the clasps one by one, the smaller end fitting in the clasps and the large ends preventing them from drawing through.

By using my invention the following results are secured: 1st, the boot is fastened with great ease and rapidity, as the cord, sliding through all the eyelets and buttons, permits each loop to lengthen freely as its button is fastened, and the button readily is placed in the clasp. 2d, from the sa-me cause the fastening is yielding', as if elastic, and the strain is distributed over the whole flap of the boot.

Instead of the eyelets any equivalent device may be used through which to pass the cord; also, any other suitable form of button may be used.

I know that similar buttons and clasps are used for other purposes; but what I claim as my invention, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

In combination with the iiaps of a boot or shoe, the cord G, series of eyelets or equivalents E E, buttons D D, and corresponding clasps F F, all constructed, arranged, and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth and described.

EDWARD VEBB.

Witnesses:

J. F. W ELBORN, S. P. MOORE. 

